Pseudoreserpic acid derivatives



United States Patent 3,264,302 PSEUDORESERPIC ACID DERIVATIVES Johannes Mueller, Arlesheim, Switzerland, assignor to Ciba Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Aug. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 304,205

Claims priority, application Switzerland, Aug. 28, 1962, 10,170/62; July 12, 1963, 8,733/63 12 Claims. (Cl. 260-287) synthetically up to now. The only possible method was to extract pseudoreserpine and raunescine in a cumbersome manner from Rauwolfia plants and the yields were very small.

The present invention is based on the observation that the 17u-hydroxy-1SB-acyloxy-ZOwyohimbane-l6B- carboxylic acid esters, their N-oxides or the salts of these compounds are obtained when in a 16:18-lactone of a 171x-lSB-dihydroxy-20a-yohimbane-16B-carboxylic acid, or in an N-oxide thereof or in a salt of these compounds the 17-hydroxyl group is protected, e.g., substituted, for example, etherified or esterified with a residue that is difiicult to eliminate by alkaline hydrolysis but easy to eliminate by hydrogenolysis or acid hydrolysis, the resulting lactone is split with an alkaline agent, any resulting compound containing a free carboxyl group in position 16 is esterified, the hydroxyl group in position 18 is acylated and in the resulting compound the ether or ester residue at the oxygen atom in position 17 is eliminated by hydrogenolysis or acid hydrolysis and, if desired, a product obtained at any stage of the process is isomerized in position 3.

In the 16:18-lactones of the 17a:l8fi-di-hydroxy-20u-.

yohimbane-16B-carboxylicacids'to-be used in the present process, in their N-oxides or'salts the 3-hydrogen atom may be in the lX-POSitlOH or t l-position.

The afore-mentioned lactones contain the nucleus of the formula These lactones maycontain further substituents, for example aliphatic hydrocarbon residues, etherified or esterified hydroxyl groups, etherified mercapto groups, nitro or amino groups, halogen atoms and/or halogenolower alkyl groups. Thesesubstituents are particularly suitable for the positions 9 to 12 of the aromatic ring Patented August 2, 1966 "ice A, whereas for position 5 or 6 the heterocycle C aliphatic hydrocarbon residues are particularly useful.

Particularly suitable starting materials are those of the formula in which R, and R each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, lower alkylmercapto group, an aralkoxy group, amino group, monoor di-lower alkyl-amino group or a halogen atom, or -R.,+R in vicinal positions may form a methylenedioxy group, and R in position 5 or 6 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical, as well as their N-oxides or salts of these compounds.

1 Lower alkyl groups are more especially methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl groups.

- Lower alkoxy, alkylmercapto, monoor di-lower alkylamino groups are especially those in which the alkyl radicals are the afore-mentioned lower alkyls.

, A radical that is diflicult to eliminate by alkaline hydrolysis but easy to eliminate by hydrogenolysis is, forexample, a benzyl radical or a carbo-benzoxy radical. These radicals may be substituted, for example as shown above for R and R 7 i The etherification or esterification is carriedout by known methods. 7

A radical that is difficult to eliminate by alkaline hydrolysis but easy to eliminate by acid hydrolysis is, for example, an oxaor t-hia-cycloalkyl-(Z) radical made up of at least 5 members. These oxa cycloalkyl or thia-cycloalkyl radicals contain preferably 4 to 6 cyclic carbon atoms. The carbon atoms of the oxa-cycloalkyl 0r thiacycloalkyl radical may be unsubstituted or substituted by hydrocarbon radicals, for example by lower alkyls such as those mentioned above, by cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, by aryls such as phenyl groups, by aralkyls such as phenyl-lower alkyl groups, for example benzyl, or-by halogen atoms. The aromatic nuclei of the said radicals may contain further substituents,

for example those mentioned above in connection with R and R The oxa-cycloalkyl or thia-cycloalkyl radical may also contain a fused ring, such as a cycloalkyl ring or a benzene ring, and this ring may be substituted, for example by the substituents mentioned above for R and R The oxaor thia-cycloalkyl-(Z)radical is, for example, atetrahydrofuranyl-(Z) radical, such as the tetrahydrofuranyl-(Z), 4-methyl-tetrahydrofuranyl-(2) or S-methyltetrahydrofuranyl-(Z) radical; a tetrahydropyranyl-(Z) radical such as the tetrahydropyranyl-(Z), Z-methyI-tetrahydropyranyl-(Z), 4-methyl-tetrahydropyranyl-(2), 3- chloro-tetrahydropyranyl (2), 6-phenyl-tetrahydropy- (2) group or a corresponding thia-cycloalkyl group.

The etherification with the oxa-cycloalkyl-(2) or thiacycloalkyl-(Z) radical may be performed, for example,

by reaction with a reactive ester of a Z-hydroxy-oxaor -thia-cycloalkane containing at least 5 ring members.

Reactive esters of Z-hydroxy-oxa or -thia-cycloalkanes of arylsulfonic acids, for example para-toluenesulfonic acid. Relevant examples are 2-halogenocycl0-oxaalkanes with at least 5 ring atoms, for example 2-chloro-cyclooxaalkanes or 2-bromo-cyclooxaalkanes such as 2-ch1orotetrahydrofuran, 2-chlorotetrahydropyran, Z-ChIOIO-CYCIO-e oxa'heptane or the corresponding bromo-compounds.

It is of advantage to perform the reaction in the presence of a condensing agent, more especially of dimethyl formamide which sometimes may also serve as solvent. Other inert solvents may likewise be used as diluents.

In general, the reaction mixture is allowed to stand until the reaction is complete, if necesary with cooling and/ or in the dark. The desired final product can then be isolated in known manner,

According to another etherification method the reaction is performed with an at least S-membered cyclooxaalk-Z-ene or cyclothiaalk-Z-ene in the presence of an acidic condensing agent.

The cyclooxaalk-Z-enes and cyclothiaalk-Z-enes used as starting materials are advantageously unsubstituted in positions 2 and 3. Particularly suitable starting materials are S-membered and 6-membered cyclooxaalk-Z- enes and cyclothiaalk-Z-enes such, for example, as 4:5- dihydrofurans such as 4 :5-dihydrofuran or 5-methyl-4z5- dihydrofuran, or. 5:6-dihydropyrans, for example 5:6- dihydropyran, 4-methyl-5:6-dihydropyran, 6-methyl-5z6- d'ihydropyran or 6-chloro-5:6-dihydropyran or the corresponding thia-cycloalkyl compounds.

As acidic condensing agents there are used, for example, strong Lewis acids, such as mineral acids, for example hydrochloric, hydrobromic or sulfuric acid (anhydrous or in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution), phopshoric acids (for example polyphosphoric.

acids), phosphorus oxychloride, fiuoboric acid (as a highly concentrated aqueous solution), boron trifiuoride (in the form of an etherate, more especially the diethyl etherate), arylsulfonic acids such as para-toluenesulfonic acid, or acid ion exchange resins, for example sulfonic.

acid resins, or other'Lewis acids suitable for use as con-. densing agents.

The reaction may be performed 1n the presence or absence of a diluent, which may be an excess of the liquid ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or para-dioxane, lower alkanones, for example acetone or methylethyl ketone, formamides, for example dimethyl formamide, or acetonitrile.

The reaction product is isolated by known methods, advantageously after 'having neutralized the reaction batch with an alkaline reagent, for example aqueous methanolic or ethanolic ammonia, aqueous alkali metal carbonate, for example sodium or potassium carbonate,

or bicarbonate, or aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, for example sodium or potassium hydroxlde.

The splitting of the lactones is performed, for example,

such'as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, in the presenceof a strong base such as an alkali metal carbonate (sodium substituted alkanols such as lower alkanols, for

or potassium carbonate) or alkali; metal Ihydroxide (sodium or potassium'hydrox-ide). The reaction may be performed at room temperature or with cooling or heat-. mg.

The alcoholysis of the v16:18-lactones of the 17oz-(oxaor thia-cycloalkyl-Z-oxy)-18[3-hydroxy 20a yohimbanel6B-carboxylic acids, of their N-oxides or of salts of these compounds is primarily performedb'y treatment with an alcohol in the presence of a basic catalyst that promotes the alcoholysis, above all an alkali metal alcoholate such as sodium or potassium alcoholate of the. alcohol used itself, for example in an inert'solvent or if desired inPthe alcohol used acting as solvent. performed at room temperature or with cooling or heat-. ing.

Particularly suitable alcohols are substituted or .unexample methanol, ethanol or propanol. Thesealcohols may be preferably substitutedby lower alkoxy groups, di-lower alkyl-amino groups or alkyleneimino groups (which may be interrupted-by hetero atoms such-as oxygen, sulfur or. nitrogen),zsuch as: piperi-dtino, pyrrolidino, morpholino, thiamorpholine or piperazino groups.

When the lactones are split .hydrolytically, there .are obtained compounds that contain in position .16 a free carboxyl group which can be esterified in the usual man:

ner, for example by'reaction with apossibly substituted.

diaz-oalkane, for example, one that corresponds to the aforementioned alcohols.

The acylation of the 18-hydroxyl group is preferably carried out with a reactive functional derivative of an= organic acid,-.rnore especially a carboxylic acid, above all with a halide, such as the'chloride thereof, or with an anhydride or, if desired, isocyanate, primarily under anhydrous conditions :and,-if desired, in the presence of an acid-binding condensing agent. Such condensing agents are, for example, organic tertiary bases, more es-- pecially tertiary heterocyclic bases such as pyridine, picohne, collidine, lutidine; or tertiary aliphatic amines such as trimethylamine,.N:N-dimethyl-N ethylamine, tri-' ethylamine and the like. Carbonates and .bicarbonates. of alkali or alkaline earth metals are likewise suitable as condensing agents. Liquid organic condensing or esterifying agents may at the same time serve as solvent. Further suitable diluents; are, for example, aromatic hydrocar- Particularly suitable derivatives of carboxylic acids are those of aliphatic, araliphatic, heterocyclicor aromatic carboxylic acids or of carbamic acids, Aliphatic carboxylic acids are, for example, fatty acids; for example, lower alkanecarboxylic acids such as acetic, propionic, butyric, pivalic, caproic, isocaproic acid, lower alkanedicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, lower alkoxyalkanecarboxylic acids suchas methoxyacetic acid,'lower alkenecarboxylic acids such as. crotonic acid, lower alkenedicarboxylic acids such ;as maleic acid, cycloalkenecar- .boxylic acids such-as cyclohexane-carboxylic or cyclopentane-carboxylic acid. Araliphatic and aromatic car boxylic acidstare, forexample,arylalkanecarboxylic or arylalkenecarboxylic acids such as phenylor naphthyllower alkylcarboxylic' or -lower alkenylcarboxylic acids, or arylcarboxylic acids'such as phenyl-carboxylic or naphthylcarboxylic acids, whose aromatic nuclei may be substituted, for example, by lower alkyls such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl groups, free or substituted hydroxyl or amino groups, azo groups such as'phenylazo groups, nitro groups, free or functionally converted carboxyl groups, halogen atoms or trifiuoromethyl groups. Substituted hydroxyl groups are more especially lower The reaction may be alkoxy groups such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or butoxy groups, methylenedioxy groups, or acyloxy groups such as lower alkanoyloxy groups such as acetoxy, propionyloxy or butyryloxy groups, or lower alkyl-carbonyloxy groups such as methoxyor ethoxy-carbonyloxy groups, arhino-carbonyloxy groups such as monoor dilower alkylamino-carbonyloxy groups, for example, ethylamino-carbonyloxy or phenylamino-carbonyloxy groups. Substituted amino groups are, for example, monoor di-lower alkylamino groups such as methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino or diethylamino groups, or

acylamino groups such as lower alkanoylamino groups,

for example, acetylamino, propionylamino or butyrylamino groups, or lower alkoxy-carbonyla-mino groups such as methoxyor ethoxy-carbonylamino groups. Functionally converted carboxyl groups are, for example, carbo-lower .alkoxy groups such as carbomethoxy, carbethoxy, carbopropoxy or carbobutoxy groups, or carbamyl groups.

Examples of such acids are: anisic, veratric, piperonylic, cinnamic, phenylacetic, 3:4-dichlorobenzoic, 3:4:5-trimet-hoxybenzoic, 3 24:5-trimethoxycinnamic, u-methoxyphenylacetic, diphenylacetic, para-hydroxybenzoic, paraacetylaminobenzoic, para-phenylazobenzoic, S-amino-Z- methoxybenzoic, 5-dimethylamino-Z-methoxybenzoic, 3- ethoxy-carbonyloxy-4-methoxybenzoic, 3 4 S-trimethylbenzoic, 3 :4: S-triethoxybenzoic, 3 :4: 5-tri-n-propoxybenzoic, 3 :4: S-tri-n-butoxybenzoic, 3 :4-dimethoxy-5-hydroxybenzoic, 3:4-dimethoxy-S-carbethoxybenzoic, syringic, O- acetyl-syringic, O-carbomethoxy-syringic, O-carbethoxysyringic, O carbopropoxy-syringic, O carbobutoxysyringic, O-carboisobutoxy-syringic, 2-carboxy-3 :4: 5:6- tetrachlorobenzoic, 4-di-methylamino-carbonyloxy-3 S-dimethoxybenzoic, 3 4-dimethoxycinnamic, 3 :4: S-trimethoxyphenylacetic, 3:4-diethoxy-carbonyloxy-cinnamic, 1- (ethoxy carbonyloxy) 2 naphthoic or fi-naphthoic acid. Heterocyclic carboxylic acids are, for example, furancarboxylic acids such as furan-(2)-carboxylic acid, pyridinecarboxylic acids such as nicotinic acid or pyridine-4-carboxylic acid, quinoline-carboxylic acids such as quinoline-(6)-carboxylic acid.

A group that can be eliminated by hydrogenolysis is advantageously eliminated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst containing a metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table, for example, palladium. It is of advantage to perform the elimination in a solvent such as a lower alcohol, for example methanol or ethanol, or in a halogenated lower hydrocarbon, for example chloroform or methylene chloride, if desired at an elevated temperature and under superatmospheric pressure, though as a rule the hydrogenolysis takes place even under atmospheric pressure and at room temperature.

A group that is easy to eliminate by acid hydrolysis is preferably eliminated in the presence of an aqueous acid, for example a dilute mineral acid, for example hydrochloric, hydrobromic or sulfuric acid, a lower alkanecarboxylic acid such as acetic acid or a propionic acid or of an arylsulfonic acid such as toluenesulfonic acid.

The products of the invention have a sedative and/ or hypotensive action and/ or are valuable intermediates for the manufacture of compounds having a sedative or hypotensive action. Thus, for example, a resulting 11- methoxy 17whydroxy 18B acyloxy 35:20ayohimbane-l6fl-carboxylic acid methyl ester may be etherified or esterified in known manner at the 17a-hydroxyl group, whereby there are obtained the sedatively and/or hypotensively active 11 methoxy 17oz methoxy-18B- acyloxy 319:20a-yohimbane-16,8-carboxylic acid methyl esters or the similarly active 11 methoxy 17cc acetyloxy 186 (324:5 trimethoxybenzoyloxy) :20ayohimbane-l613-carboxylic acid methyl ester. A resulting 3uz20a-yohimbane compound can be converted in known manner into the 3 3z20a-compound, for example by dehydrogenation and reduction of the A -double bond formed, with zinc in the presence of an acid.

Especially valuable with respect to the above mentioned properties are the compounds of the formula in which R represents an acyl radical, especially the radical of the above mentioned carboxylic acids, R an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl radical, especially such a radical as is contained in the above mentioned substituted or unsubstituted alkanols, R and R each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, lower alkoxy group, lower .alkyl group, lower alkylmercapto group, phenyllower alkoxy group, amino group, monoor di-lower alkylamino group or a halogen atom, or R +R in vicinal positions represent a methylenedioxy group and R in one of the positions 5 or 6 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical, their N-oxides and the salts of these compounds, and particularly those compounds of the above formula in which the hydrogen atom in 3-position is in B-position and, R, R R R and R have the meanings given above.

These compounds, with the exception of pseudoreserpine, raunescine and rescidine and their salts, form a special embodiment of the present invention.

The intermediates have likewise a sedative and/or hypotensive action; this is particularly true of the intermediately formed 17abenzyloxy-, 17a-cyclooxaalkyl-(2)- oxyand l7u-cyclothiaalkyl-(2)-oxy-18B-acyloxy-3B:20otyohimbane-l6B-carboxylic acid esters, more especially the tetrahydropyranyl ethers. The intermediatesand their manufacture are therefore likewise included in the scope of this invention.

Especially valuable intermediates are those which lead to the final products described above as being particularly valuable.

Accordingly, the active compounds of the present invention may be used, for example, either as sedatives or tranquillizers for treating hyperactivity, conditions of ten' sion and excitation or as antihypertensives for the treatment-of increased blood pressure.

The new compounds and the starting and intermediate products used may take the form of racemate mixtures, pure racemates or optical antipodes. Racemic intermedi ates and final products may be resolved, for example, in the following manner: A racemic free base-which may be dissolved, for example, in a lower alkanol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, or in a halogenated lower aliphatic hydrocarbon such as methylene chloride or chloroform--is reacted with an optically active acid and the'resulting salts are separated-for example by virtue of their different solubilities-into the diastereomers from which the antipodes of the new bases can be liberated by treatment with an alkaline agent. More frequently used optically active acids are the D-forms and L-forms of tartaric, di-ortho-toluyltartaric, malic, mandelic, IO-camphorsulfonic or quinic acid.

Racemic compounds having an acidic nature can be and/or of their salts.

Depending on the reaction conditions and starting materials used the final products of intermediates are obtained in the free form or in the form of their N-oxides Thus, for example, there may-result basic, neutral acid or mixed salts, possibly also 11 hemi-, .mono-, sesquior poly-hydrates thereof. The salts of the final products or of the intermediates can be converted in known manner into the free bases. free bases are treated with organic or inorganicj acids capable of forming therapeutically useful salts, they yield 1 salts. As such acids there may be mentioned for example: hydrohalic, sulfuric, phosphoric acids, nitric, perchloric acid; aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic carboxylic or sulfonic acids such as formic, acetic, pro- When the picnic, oxalic, succinic, glycollic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, maleic, hydroxymaleic or pyruvic acid;

t. phenylacetic, benzoic, para-aminobenzoic, anthranilic,

para-hydroxybenzoic, salicyclic, or para-aminosalicylic,

methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic,

ethylenesulfonic acid; halogenobenzenesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, naphthalenesulfonic acids or sulfanilic acid; methionine, tryptophan, lysine or arginine.

The salts of the new compound may also be used for i purifying the resulting bases. by converting the bases into the salts, isolating the latter and liberating the bases from them- N-oxides of the final products or of the intermediates can be prepared by known methods, for example by treating the new etherswhich are advantageously present in.

the form of solutions in an inert liquid-with an.N-' oxidating agent, for examplewith hydrogen peroxide, ozone, persulfuric acid or more especially an organioperacid such as peracetic, perbenzoic, :monoperphthalic or para-toluenepersulfonic acid. The inertliquids used-as solvent or diluent in the oxidation are, for example,:halo-r 7 Periodic Table, such as Raney nickel, platinum oxide or I palladium black, or nascent hydrogen such as is formed when a heavy metal, for example-iron, or zinc or tin, acts upon an acid, for exampleacetic acid.

The final products'or intermediates may be isomerized in position 3. Inter alia, for example, a benzyl ether or: carbobenzoxy ester obtained intermediately or a result-= ing final product may be isomerized by known method. The isomerization is preferably carried out by dehydrogenating 111164300 or 3fl-compounds and reducing theA yohi-mbene compound formed to the desired 3B- or 30:- compound.

It is of advantage to avoid in the Dehydrogenation is performed, for example, by treatment with tertiary butylhypochlorite or palladium carbon under mild conditions, or preferably by treatment with g mercury acetate.

The resulting A-yohirnb'ene compounds contain the double bond in the 3(l4) or in the '3 (4) position. In theiiree-base the double bond is in position 3(14), and in a When the reduction is carried out catalytically, that is to say with hydrogen, in thepresence of a catalyst 8 ample with a metal amalgam in a moist solvent, the 30:- compounds are formed pre-dominantly. Thereaction with a hydride or in an-alkaline solution is not suitable for the 16:18-lactones since, the lactone grouping issplit tained. It is lofwadvantage to reduce with zinc in the presence of aqueous perchloric acid and/or another acid, for example acetic'acid. The reaction may be performed in the presence of a diluent such asan ether, for: example tetr-ahydrofuran or dioxane, or of an lower. alkanone, for example acetone.

The resulting isomerized intermediatesmay be used to which the starting materials are formed in the course of the reaction.

, Inter alia, it is especially possible to introduce the ether 7 or ester radical, for example the benzyl radical "or the. carbo-benzoxy .radical, at the l7-hydroxyl group at an earlier stage of the total synthesis so as to form directly the intermediatesofthe invention. In this manner it is possible, for example, to obtain by known methods the the -17a-benzyloxy-16:l 8-lacto-nes. OlI' 17ot-carbobenzoxy- 16: 18.-lactones, -lSB-hydroxy-l6B-carboxylic acids or -1 8 3 hydroxy-lfifl-carboxylic acid esters which are then further reacted according to the present-invention.

The 16: l8-lactones-used as starting materials are acces- I sible by hydrolysing a .16.,8-carbomethoxy-17oi-methoxyl8-hydroxy-20a-yohinrbane compound with hydrobromic acid of 48% strength, reacting the resulting, 17a:18;8-dihydroxy 30x20 yohimbaue 16,8 carboxylic acid with N:N-dicyclohexyl-oarbodiimide and, if desired, isomeriz-v ing. :the resulting 6:18-lactone= of l7azl8p-dihydroxy 3a:20a-yohimbane-l6fi-carboxylic acid with aqueous formic or acetic acidto form the. 16: IS-lac'tone 01317001185? dihydroxy-3fi: ZOa-yOhinrbane-16,8-carboxylic acid.

The other starting materials are known or can be prepared by known methods;

The pharmacologically active compounds may be used,

for. example, in the form of pharmaceutical preparations containing said compounds or their salts in admixture with an organic or inorganic, solid orliquid pharmaceutical excipient suitable for enter-a1 or parenteral administration. Suitable excipients are .substances that do not-react with the new compounds such, forexam-ple, as water, gelatine, lactose, starches, stearyl alcohol, magnesium .stearate, talcum, vegetable .oils, benzyl alcohols, gums, propylene glycol, polyalkyle'ne glycols, white petroleum jelly, cholesterol or other known medicinal excipients. The pharmaceutical preparations: may: be, for example, tablets, drages or capsules, or in liquid form solutions, suspensions or emulsions. Theymay be sterilized and/ or may which contains, for example, a metal of group VIII'of the:

Periodic Table such as nickel, palladium or platinum, or with the aid of a light-metal hydride, more especially of a light-metal borohydride such as sodium borohydride,

or with nascent hydrogen in an alkaline solution,-for excontain auxiliaries suchtas preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifying. agents, solution promotergsaltsfor regulat: ing the osmotic pressure orbuffers. They may also vcontain other therapeutically valuable substances. maceutical preparations, are formulated 1 by conventional methods.

The new compounds may also be used in the form of animal feedstuifs or of additives to animal feedstutfs with the use, for example, .oftheconvention-al extenders and.

diluents or feedstuffs respectively.

The following examples illustrate the invention Example 1 5 mg.pof pseudo'reser-pic acid lact-one, are dried under ahigh vacuum and dissolved with'heating ina300 ml. of

acetone; 10 ml. of -2:3-,dihydropyran are added and .the mixture is cooled to room temperature. 1.35 ml. of a p. When the reduction ,is-carried out withinascent hydrogen in the presence of an acid, the 3fi-compounds are'ob- The pharsolution of toluenesulfonic acid in acetone (1.0 g. of acid dissolved in 4.0 ml. of acetone) are then added dropwise and the mixture is left to itself for l to 2 days at room temperature. To work up the reaction mixture the acetone is first evaporated under vacuum, then the oily residue taken up in 400 ml. of warm hexane, allowed to cool and the solution is decanted from the resin formed in 'the'flask. The resin which remains in'the flask is taken up in 250 ml. of ethylacet-ate. The batch is adjusted to pH 8 to 9 by means of aqueous ammonia solution of 10% strength and the phases are separated. The aqueous phase is washed with 2 x 50 ml. of ethyl acetate. All organic phases are successively washed with 2 x 20 ml. of water each. The solution is dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The [remaining resin is once more taken up in 100 ml. of hexane, whereupon colorless flocks form spontaneously which are filtered olf and rinsed with hexane. The purpose of the repeated treatment with hexane is to remove the dihydropyranyl polymer.

The precipitate consists predominantly of the desired tetrahydropyranyl ether. The substance is freed from a brown impurity and a small residue of starting material by dissolving it in to 7 ml. of acetone, and suflicient ether is added to produce a turbidity which settles out after the whole has been kept for several hours at 0 C. and can be filtered off in the form of light brown flocks. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness under vacuum; the residue is dissolved in r m 2 ml. of acetone and ether is added to produce a slight turbidity. The batch is allowed to cool and to stand for some time, whereupon a small amount of crystalline starting material forms which is filtered oif. The mother liquor contains 17-O-tetrahydropyranyl-pseudoreserpic acid lactone which can be crystallized from aqueous methanol of 80% strength. It forms fine needles melting at 144l48 C.

Further material can be recovered from the mother liquor of the said crystals by freeing the residue from the solvent, dissolving it in a mixture of equal parts by volume of benzene and chloroform and pouring the whole over a column of 30 g. of alumina (neutral; activity II to HI according to Brockman). When 100 ml. of this mixture have percolated through the column, elution is performed with 100 ml. of pure chloroform and then 2 to 3 times with 100 ml. of a mixture of 4 parts by volume of chloroform and 1 part by volume of acetone. The latter eluate contains the tetrahydropyranyl et-herwhich can be crystallized as described above.

A solution of 130 mg. of the resulting 17-O-tetr-ahydropyranyl-pseudoreserpic acidlactone in 16 ml. of methanol is mixed with a solution of 75 mg. of sodium methylate in 16 ml. of methanol, and the whole is kept overnight at room temperature. The solution is then neutralized with dilute methanolic hydrochloric "acid and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is distributed between cholorform and ice-cold 0.5 N-sodium hydroxide solution. After the chloroform phase has been washed with water, dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated under vacuum, it forms a residue which, as revealed by thin-layer chromatographic analysis, consists predominantly of the desired methyl ester; it can be purified in a simple manner by the following abbreviated rapid chromatographic method:

The product is dissolved in anhydrous chloroform stabilized with about 2% of ethanol, the solution is poured over a column of g. of neutral alumina (activity H to III according to Brockman) and the column is eluted with a total of 40 ml. of this solvent, whereby a small amount of a yellow-brownish impurity can be removed. The chloroform is then admixed with 0.5% of methanol, whereupon a band of yellow-green fluorescence dissolves in the upper portion of the column and migrated rapidly. It is completely eluted with 30 to 40 ml. of this mixture. The residue constitutes the pure 17-O-tetrahydropyranylpseudoreserpic acid methyl ester which crystallizes in line 10 colorless needles from acetone+ether and melts at 226- 20 mg. of 17-0-tetrahydropyranyl-methyl pseudoreserpate, dried under a highvacuum, in 1 ml. of anhydrous pyridine are mixed with 10 mg. of freshly distilled 324:5- trimethoxybenzochloride while being cooled with ice. The mixture is then kept for 1 to 2 days at room temperature. 2 ml. of toluene are then added and the solvent is removed under vacuum. The residue is distributed between ice-cold 0.1 N-sodium hydroxide solution and chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed, dried with sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness. The residue is dissolved in a 6:4-mixture of benzene and chloroform and filtered through a layer 1 to 2 cm. thick of alumina (activity II to III, neutral). The column is then rinsed with 50 ml. of the same mixture and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue can be crystallized from aqueous methanol to furnish 17-0-tetrahydropyranyl-pseudoreserpine.

A solution of 20 mg. of 17-O-tetrahydropyranylpseudoreserpine in 1 ml. of 2 N-acetic acid is heated for 2 minutes at C., then cooled and extracted with ethylene chloride. The organic phase is treated with sodium carbonate solution and water and the dry residue is crystallized from aqeuous alcohol; it melts at 252- 254 C. The product obtained in this manner is found to be identical with authentic pseudoreserpine.

The pseudoreserpic acid lactone used as starting material may be prepared in the following manner:

200 mg. of methylreserpate are dissolved in a 3-litre flask in 1660 g. of hydrobromic acid of 48% strength and heated at the boil for 4 hours under nitrogen. The mixture is then concentrated to syrup consistency under vacuum, taken up in fresh methanol and water and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. This operation is repeated (twice) until the hydrobromic acid has been expelled, and the mixture is then completely dried overnight under a high vacuum. The residue is dissolved in a total of 3 litres of methanol, filtered through diatomaceous earth (Hyflo) and methylated (after having been distributed over 4 flasks) by slowly adding 3 litres of N-- ethereal diaz ometh-ane solution and keeping the whole for 24 hours.

When all diazomethane has been consumed, the ether is evaporated under diminished pressure and the addition of another 3 litres of ethereal diazomet-hane solution on each occasion is repeated. When the latter solution has been consumed, the ether is evaporated, then the solution is filtered through diatomaceous earth (Hyflo) and finally concentrated to a volume of 500 ml., upon which crystal- 1 l-methoxy-17a: l8B-dihydroxy-3 a 20u-yohimbane- 16,3-carboxylic acid methyl ester melting at 265 C. is obtained which is isolated by being suctioned olf.

36 g. of the resulting methyl ester are suspended in a mixture of 900 ml. of methanol and 270 ml. of aqueous potassium carbonate solution of 40% strength and the whole is caused to dissolve by heating and stirring under nitrogen. The solution is' the i refluxed for 1 /2 hours and allowed to cool overnight, whereupon an abundance of potassium carbonate crystallizes out. The solution is filtered and the. crystalline filter cake is rinsed with methanol. While cooling the filtrate with ice it is adjusted with concentrated aqueous and finally with dilute methanolic hydrochloric acid to pH=4 to 5, and then evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The crystalline magn-a is then converted into potassium chloride by adding hydrochloric acid. The potassium chloride is boiled twice with methanol until it no longer contains any organic material, and the same methanol is used to elu-te the 11- oxy 17a:18B-dihydroxy 3az20a-yohimbane l6fl-carcarboxylic acid from the evaporation residue. The latter is repeatedly boiled with methanol, then an equal volume of pyridine is added, the whole is allowed to cool and then filtered. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness under 6.0 g. of dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide are added to a solution of 8.0 g. of 1l-methoxy-17a:l8fi-dihydroxy-3az20a- "'5' yohimbane-l6fi-carboxylic acid hydrochloride in 400 ml.

.j of pyridine and the Whole is stirred and heated for 3 hours:

at 100 C. The batch is cooled and the solution evapof rated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is agitated for 5 minutes with 120 ml. of ice-cold 2 N-acetic acid, 2. whereupon the lactones passes into solution and the .di-

cyclohexyl-urea remains in crystalline form. J tioned oif and extracted again in identical manner with 2 x 40 ml. of 2 N-acetic acid, the filter residue being j washed each time with 2 N acetic acid and finally with i water. i. negative in :the .Majer test. I" which are continuously cooled with ice, are combined.

It is suc- Furtheracetic acid-extracts of the urea prove The acetic acid solutions,

On addition of 6 ml. of concentrated aqueous ammonia the residual occluded 16:l8lactone is obtained. The,

lactone precipitations can be purified by digestion with acetone. solvent under vacuum and taking upthe amorphous (or partially crystalline) product in hot acetone the 16:18- lactone of ll-methoxy 17119185 dihydroxy 3uz20ayohimbane-l6 8-carboxylic acid can be purified. at 259263 C. Optical rotation [a] =125:L1 (pyridine; c.-=1). Its hydrochloride melts at 266-270 C. with decomposition.

A solution of 5.0 g. 'of the .l6zl8-lactone' ofllmethoxy l7az l8fl-dihydroxy 3a:20a-yohimbane-l6/3- carboxylic acid in 150 ml. of formic acid of 88% strengthisstirred and refluxed for 40 minutes under nitrogen. The formic acid is then completely expelled by evaporation with acetone and toluene, and after treatment with.

acetone there is obtainedthe -l6zl8-lactone (which is substantially free from the tformyl derivative) of '11- methoxy l7uzl8e-dihydroxy 3fiz20'u-yohimbane-l6fi carboxylic acid (pseudoreser-pic acid lactone) which is re-- crystallized from methanol to furnish handsome needles melting at 274-27 6 C. Optical rotation [oc] =+7 1.8i1

(pyridine; c.=0.8). Its hydrochloride melts at 278- 281 C. with decomposition.

Example 2 When 3:4-dimethoxyhenzoyl chloride is added to 17-0 tetrahydropyranyl-methyl pseudo-reserpate as described in Example 1 and the tetrahydropyranyl radical is elimi-. nated from the resulting 17-O-tetrahydropyranyl-18P0- (3 :4-dimethoxybenzoyl) -pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester with 2 N-acetic .acid as described in Example 1, there is obtained 18-O-(3z4 dimethoxybenzoyl)-pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester. 204-205" C. Kofler heater) and crystallizes in colorless needles which contain half a mol of water of crystalliza-..

tion. The ester has an optical rotation: [ot] 69.8- -1 [in cholorform (c.=0.94)']. Its ultraviolet spectrum has pronounced maxima at 223m (e=54400.), 264 m (e=18400) and 297 m (e=13200).- The infrared spec- By solution in pyridine, evaporation of the.

It melts.

The latter has a meltingpoint of vacuum; on being digested with methanol, the residue p f furnishes the sparingly soluble hydrochloride of ll-methoxy l7azl8fi-dihydroxy 3uz20a-yohi-mbane 1613-carv i boxylic acid melting at 249253 C.

20 (with the pH value of the solution rising from about 2.5 to about 5) smeary impurities are first precipitated. The 2 solution is then decanted from the smeary substances sticking to thewall of the vesseland while thoroughly cooling the solution it;is mixedwith concentrated ammonia solu-.

trum- (in methylene chloride) is characterized by a triple band at 2.72;,2.78 and 2.88 a double band at 3.40 and. 351p and astrong absorption band Ell-5.8410 which has a pronounced shoulder at 580 Further strong bands are. visible at 6.13;;623; 6.6l-;f6.83;.7.42; 8.'l8;8.48; 8.82; 9.75 and 10.25;.

Example 3.

When 3z'4-methylenedioxyhenzoyl chloride is. addedto 17-0 tetrahydropyranyl-methyl pseudoreserpa-te accord-.

ing to the method described in :Example. 1 and the'tetrahydropyranyl ester is'eliminated from the'resulting' 17-O- tetrahydropyranyl 18-O- '(3:4 methylenedioxybenzoyl)- pseudo'reserpic acid methyl. ester with {2 N- a cetic acidas described in Example 1', there is-obtained 18-O-(3z4-methylenedioxybenzoyl) pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

The latter has melting point :of 206 '207' 'C. (Kofler It. also displays a strong absorption band at;,5.84,u which :I

has a pronounced shoulder at 5.80;. Further strong bands are visible at 6.13; 6.71; 6.94; 7.61; 8.16; 8.33; 8.65;

9.05; 9;30;'9.62 and 10.27%.

Example ,4

the methoddescribed in Example 1.and.the tetrahydropyranyl radical isieliminatedfrom the resulting .17-O-= tetrahydropyranyl '-18 -O"- (O. carbethoxysyringoyl) pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester with 2 N-acetic acid as described in Example 1, there is obtained .18-OI-(carbethoxysyring'oyl) pseudoreserpic acid .methyl ester.- The latter has a melting point of 'l68-169 C. (Kofler heater) and crystallizes in the :form of. COlOrleSs needles. Itlhas an opticalrotation: [1x1 3 -62'.0f- +.1 [inchlorofo'rm (e -0:96)]. ltsiultrav'iolet spectrum displays maxirna at:

strong bands are visible at 611/620; 6.65; 6.82;.

7.44/7.48; 8.2 8; 8.43; 8.79;.9.49;'9.69 and 1022p.

' What is claimed is:

1. A member selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula n 11 R1000 won.

I n on in which Ristands for the acylradic'al of an acid selected frorn'the group consisting of lower alkanecarboxylic acids, phenyl-lower alkane carboxylic: acids, unsubstituted ben-.

zoic acid and benzoic acids "substituted bya memberselectedlfrom'thei group consisting .o'fulower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, methylenedio'xy, lower alkanoyloxy,

amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower'; al kylamino, lower alkanoylamino, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, nitro,

carboxyl, mono-lower .alkylaminocarbonyloxy, di-lower alkylaminocarbonyloxy', phenylaminocarbonyloxy, carbolower alkoxy, halogen and trifluoromethylgRi fora mem- Its" ultraviolet spectrum shows pro-- When O-carbethoxysyringoyl chloride is added to :l7-O tetrahydropyranyl-methyl' pseudoreserpate according to ber selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, a'lkyleneirnino-lower alkyl and alkyleneimino lowe-r alkyl interrupted by a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, said heterocyclic substituents being selected from the group consisting of piperidino, pyrrolidino, morpholino, thiamorpholino and piperazino, R and R each stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hyd'roxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, lower alkylmercapto, phenyl-lower allcoxy, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino and halogen and, when taken together and standing in vicinal positions, methylenedioxy and R stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl, :the N-oxide thereof and the salts of these compounds.

2. A member selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula R1000 on n on in which R stands for the acyl radical of an acid selected from the group consisting of lower alkanecarboxyl ic acids, phenyl-lower alkane carboxylic acids, unsubstituted benzoic acid and benzoic acids substituted by a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, lower alkanoyloxy, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylarnino, lower alkanoylamino, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, nitro, carboxyl, mono-lower alkylaminocarbonyloxy, di-lower alkylaminocarbonyloxy, phenylaminocarbonyloxy, carbolower alkoxy, halogen and trifluoromethyl, R for a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, alkleneimino-lower alkyl and alkyleneimino-lower alkyl interrupted by a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, said heterocyclic substituents being selected from the group consisting of piperidino, pyrrolidino, morpholino, thiamorpholino and piperazino, R and R each stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, lower alkylmercapto, phenyl-lower alkoxy, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino and halogen, and, when taken together and standing in vicinal positions, methylenedioxy and R stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl, the N-oxide thereof and the salts of these compounds with the exception of raunescine, rescidine and pseudoreserpine and their salts.

3. A member selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula in which R stands for the acyl radical of an acid selected from the group consisting of lower alkanecarboxylic acids,

phenyl-lower alkane carboxylic acids, unsubstituted benzoic acid and benzoic acids substituted by a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, hy-

droxy, lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, lower alkanoyloxy, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, nitro, carboxyl, mono-lower alkylaminocarbonyloxy, di-lower alkylaminocarbonyloxy, phenylaminocarbonyloxy, carbolower alkoxy, halogen and trifluoromethyl, R for a member selected from the group consisting of benzyl, carbobenzoxy, 5 to 7-ring-member cyclooxaalkyl-(2) and 5 to 7-ring-member cyclothiaalkyl-(Z) and each of said cyclooxaalkyl and cyclothiaalkyl substituents substituted Iby a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-lower alkyl and halogen, R for a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, alkyleneimino-lower alkyl and alkyleneimino-lower alkyl interupted by a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, said heterocyclic substituents being selected from the group consisting of piperidino, pyrrolidino, morpholino, thiamorpholino and piperazino, R and R each stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, lower alkylmercapto, phenyl-lower alkoxy, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino and halogen, and, when taken together and standing in vicinal positions, methylenedioxy and R stands for a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl, the N-oxides thereof and the salts of these compounds.

4. 17-O-tetrahydropyranyl-pseudoreserpic acid lactone.

5. 17-O-tetrahydropyranyl-pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

6. 17-O-tetrahydropyranylpseudoreserpine.

7. 17 O tetrahydropyranyl 18 O (3:4 dimethoxybenzoyl)-pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

8. 17 O tetrahydropyranyl 18 0 -(3:4 methylenedioxybenzoyl)-pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

9. 17 O tetrahydropyrany-l 18 O (O carbethoxysyringoyl)-pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

10. 18 O (3:4 dimethoxybenzoyl) pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

11. 18 O (3:4 methylenedioxybenzoyl) pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

12. 18 O (O carbethoxysyringoyl) pseudoreserpic acid methyl ester.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,857,385 10/1958 Kuehne 260-286 2,995,556 8/1961 Lucas 260287 3,031,453 4/1962 Lucas 260-287 OTHER REFERENCES Daubert et al., Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., vol. 61 (1939), pages 3328-30.

Goldsmith, Chem. Reviews, vol. 33 (1943), pages 280-1.

Klohs et al., Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., vol. 79 (1957), pages 3763-66.

McCloskey, Adv. in Carbohydrate Chem., vol. 12, (1957), pages 137-42,.148-50.

Parham et al., J our. Amer. Chem. Soc., vol. 70 (1948) pages 4187-9.

Parham et al., J our. Amer. Chem. Soc., vol. 76, (1954), pages 4962-5.

Popelak et al., Naturwiss, vol. 48 (1961), pages 73 and 74.

Van Tamelen et al., Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., vol. 79 (1957), pages 5256-62.

WALTER A. MODANCE, Primary Examiner.

JOHN D. RANDOLPH, JAMES A. PATTEN,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A METHOD SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA 